New England Mutiny prepare for first WPSL conference title game since '08

EAST LONGMEADOW – A championship opportunity is so close that the New England Mutiny can taste it.

Getting to the WPSL East Conference championship was no easy ride for the Mutiny as two teams from New York State gave them their best. In both games last weekend, New England scored an early goal, then had to withstand late offensive surges and physical play from the Syracuse Lady Knights and Empire Revs WNY.

On Saturday against Syracuse, Nicole Rodriguez of Notre Dame scored just six minutes in, and that was it as the Mutiny won 1-0.

In the semifinals the next afternoon, Andrea Plucenik scored just two minutes into the game. Sunday’s match was a chippy affair with yellow cards being dished out and a couple of injuries suffered by the Mutiny. But this time, New England scored an insurance goal as Jewel Robinson sliced and diced her way through the Revs defense and she blasted a shot for a 2-0 lead.

One goal proved to be enough, though the late second half involved an offensive onslaught from the Lady Knights. Shot after shot was swallowed up by the Mutiny defense and goalkeeper Niki Dieter, who has a 0.33 goals-against average.

A big reason for the Mutiny having a zero in their loss column has been their Australian goalkeeper.

“She commands the entire field,” Gurnon said earlier in the season. “She’s on her line, she communicates well, she does a great job. She’s certainly made some good saves.”

Standing in the way of the Mutiny’s first final four appearance since 2008 is the also undefeated ASA Chesapeake Charge. The 10-0-2 Charge have a stingy defense and balanced scoring.

Kickoff for the conference final is slated for 7 p.m. at Arundel High School in Gambrills, Md.